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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-01-11Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2000 [01] HEADLINESGreek Foreign Minister George Papandreou arrives on the island in half an hour for consultations with political leaders,But Mr. Papandreou was forced to refute rumours about support for a confederal solution to the Cyprus problem, An athenian newspaper reported that a plan is in the pipeline to re-open occupied Famagusta hotels and the city's port, The spread of the flu across the island seems to be waining, except in Limassol where a hospital bed shortage continues, Islamic militants stepped up their attacks on Russian troops in Chechnya, while coalition partners in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government have added their voice in opposition to a land for peace deal with Syria, The Cyprus Stock Exchange rebounded today to the delight of investors, And the government is looking into ways of bolstering the CSE. [02] PAPANDREOU ARRIVALGreek Foreign Minister George Papandrou will arrive in Cyprus in approximately half an hour for talks with political leaders on the island's European Union accession course and the latest developments on resolution efforts.Mr. Papandreou will meet later today with his Cypriot counterpart, Ioannis Kassoulides. The two ministers will hold a joint press conference after their meeting. During his stay in Cyprus, Mr. Papandreou will meet with President Clerides, Archbishop Chrysostomos, the President of the House, party leaders and the Attorney General. CyBC radio and television will provide live coverage of Mr. Papandreou's arrival at Larnaca airport and the joint press conference at a round 5:30. [03] PAPANDREOU ARRIVALShortly before his arrival to Cyprus, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou refuted all rumours concerning support for a confederal solution.In statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Papandreou said the fundamental goal is and will always be a just and viable Cyprus solution, based on UN Security Council resolutions and the High Level Agreements on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. He added that the federation should have one international personality, one sovereignty and one citizenship which will guarantee the security, peaceful coexistence and welfare of all its citizens, Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. The Greek Foreign Minister noted that the Helsinki European Union Summit generated a new dynamic for Cyprus' EU accession course and for a resolution to the island's problem. Mr. Papandreou added consultations with the Cyprus government and political parties will take place in order to take full advantage of this new dynamic. At the same time, he stressed that efforts to build international momentum on the Cyprus problem must continue, so that significant progress in resolution efforts is made this year. [04] FAMAGUSTA DEVELOPMENTThe Athenian newspaper "Exousia" reported today that a plan is in the works to re-open hotels and the port in occupied Famagusta.According to the newspaper, the plan is the brainchild of British Special Cyprus envoy, Sir David Hannay, in conjunction with the United States and the UN. The newspaper reports the plan is part of efforts to implement Confidence Building Measures in Cyprus, which have re-emerged as a necessary condition for a succesful continuation to negotiations on the Cyprus issue. According to the newspaper, the plan has been met positively but cautiously by Athens and Nicosia, who envision it as part of the wider aim of bringing the Turkish Cypriot community into EU accession negotiations. The plan foresees that Famagusta's infrastructure, hotels, port, and other businesses operating before the Turkish invasion, be returned to Greek Cypriots who, in a short span of time, would boost the area's economic development. The newspaper reports that in exchange, Turkish Cypriots would, be allowed to export their products to European markets without the approval of the Cyprus Republic's health and customs authorities. The newspaper notes however, that this exchange is considered by some in Nicosia to be the beginning of extending recognition to the occupation regime. The issue, along with other Anglo-American ideas, are expected to be raised at the second round of proximity talks in Geneva. [05] FLU PROBLEMSThe spread of the influenza virus seems to have dropped off across the island, except in Limassol, where new cases are on the rise, filling up the new hospital with patients.At the same time, hundreds of others are kept waiting until they are examined by emergency ward doctors. Health Minister Frixos Savvides is trying to resolve the pressing problem. He chaired yesterday a meeting with Limassol hospital staff. Mr. Savvides said that measures have been taken to temporarily resolve the bed shortage problem, while a study into ugrading services at the hospital is expected to be completed soon. The health minister said the hospital's fifth floor will be opened for a month, while added medical staff will be brought in. Health Ministry official Chrystalla Hadjianastasiou told CyBC this morning that viral infections are on their way down. She added though, that the infections have not been caused by the influenza virus, explaining that other complications have appeared in patients, such as bronhchitis and asma. She said that everything has been dealt with satisfactorily, without having a single death as a result of these viral infections. The official said that a large number of cases were noted during the holiday season, but that everything has now returned to normal. [06] WORLD BRIEFSIslamic militants stepped up their attacks on Russian troops in Chechnya after Moscow conceded it had made mistakes in its nearly four-month campaign to restore control over the breakaway province.- - - - Merger mania gripped key Asian markets today, pushing Japanese shares up over three percent and Australian stocks to record highs after AOL bought Time Warner Inc in the world's largest merger. - - - - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's coalition partners have joined a chorus of domestic opposition to a possible withdrawal from the Golan Heights under a future peace treaty with Syria. - - - - With AIDS termed a security as well as a health threat, U.S. Vice President Al Gore pledged to seek $150 million to combat the virus and other infectious diseases, mainly in African nations. Wolfgang Schaeuble, the leader of Germany's main opposition party, said today he would not resign following a dramatic confession he had accepted undeclared cash donations from an arms dealer in 1994. - - - - French trucking bosses blocked key roads and border crossings for a second day running today, to protest new labour laws and a fuel tax hike. [07] EXCHANGE TODAYVolume and the index at the Cyprus Stock Exchange rebounded well today, with investors and brokers breathing a little easier after the steady decline marked in recent days.The general index closed at just over six hundred, twenty four points today, 23 points higher than yesterday's close. Volume slightly exceeded 30 million pounds, a sizable 10 million pounds over yesterday's close. All sectors posted an increase, with the exception of investment and tourism companies. [08] EXCHANGE INVESTORSMeanwhile, the Pancyprian Stock Exchange Investors' Association is advising investors to keep their cool and engage in transactions only after carefully studying each share.The advice was dispensed after the recent decreases in share prices at the Cyprus Stock Exchange. The Association's announcement notes that investors must not be swayed by rumours that may be spread by those with something to gain by doing so. The Association also advises investors to report anyone spreading such rumours. [09] KLERIDES EXCHANGEThe goverment is looking into measures bolstering the Stock Exchange.This from Finance Minister Takis Klerides, who said that among the measures will be the addition of more staff at the exchange, so that new companies engage in trading faster. Speaking on CyBC radio, Mr. Klerides said that incentives will be offered for company takeovers and mergers to take place. Commenting on the recent slide noted at the exchange, the Finance Minister said that there are no economic or political reasons explaining the drop and called on investors to stay calm and not be panicked by rumours. [10] CHARGES CHRYSANTHOSCharges have been filed with Nicosia Assizes against former Limassol Metropolitan Chrysanthos, in connection the Chambers case involving the embezzlement of 3.7 million dollars.The former Metropolitan is facing two charges - conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to receive money under false pretenses. The former Metropolitan will answer the charges at Nicosia Assizes on February 15th. [11] WEATHERThis afternoon will be fine with some high cloud.Isolated showers and light snowfall are expected to fall over the mountainous areas. Winds will be mainly light, northerly, 3 beaufort on slight seas. It will remain fine into this evening, with some light showers and snowfall continuing over the mountains. Winds will remain light, northerly, 3 beaufort on slight seas. The temperature will drop to one degree inland, where frost will develop, 3 degrees along the coasts and minus three degrees over the highest reaches of the Troodos mountains. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 15 centimetres and 10 centimetres on Troodos square. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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